-

Education Strike Spreads Further

Support staff at Parkland School Division latest to put up picket lines

STONY PLAIN, Alberta & SPRUCE GROVE, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--About 400 education support workers at Parkland School Division will begin full strike action today. The workers have been engaged in ‘work-to-rule’ since February 18.

The workers join 6,000 other striking educational support workers in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Leduc, Sturgeon, Calgary and the Okotoks region.

CUPE Local 5543 Vice President Chrissy Nickel said the workers had wanted to give the province a chance to address the strike issues, but were disappointed by their lack of concern.

“The purposeful underfunding of education has left classrooms without the support staff they need, directly impacting students—those with complex needs, those in mainstream classes, and those who require additional assistance to understand the curriculum.”

Nickel said the workers will put up picket lines today at the Parkland School Division office at 4300 43 St, Stony Plain.

“We understand the impact this has on students, especially students with special needs,” said Nickel. “However, students are being negatively affected by low wages, high turnover of staff, and vacancies in support positions. A good education requires well paid, satisfied support staff.”

:clc/cope 491

Contacts

Lou Arab, Communications Representative
780.271.2722
larab@cupe.ca

Industry:

Canadian Union of Public Employees

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Lou Arab, Communications Representative
780.271.2722
larab@cupe.ca

More News From Canadian Union of Public Employees

Unionbusting and safety concerns continue at Rockcliffe Flying Club as CIRB delays certification

Ottawa, ON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Workers at the Rockcliffe Flying Club filed to join CUPE in December 2025 after raising concerns about workplace culture and aircraft safety. Instead of respecting those concerns and letting workers exercise their right to join a union, the employer has responded with delay, pressure, and retaliation. What should have been the straightforward certification process is still not finished, nearly four months later. In that time, workers say the employer has used the de...

TCDSB Ends Beloved Language Program After 50 Years, 77 Jobs Lost

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Thursday the Toronto Catholic District School Board announced that they will completely eliminate its long-standing International Languages Program, resulting in 77 dedicated language instructors losing their jobs. “This is a devastating and short-sighted decision,” said Val Di Gregorio, President of CUPE 3155, representing the language instructors. “For decades, this program has enriched students’ lives, strengthened communities and supported cultural connections....

“Cold-blooded decision on hospital funding,” says CUPE in response to Ford government’s 2026 budget

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The real dollar hospital funding cut announced in the 2026 provincial budget will intensify the crisis in Ontario’s hospitals, which are already funded at the lowest rate in the country, says the Canadian Union of Public Employees. “The government increased hospital funding by four per cent - a real cut of two per cent when measured against the six per cent increase in costs related to an ageing and growing population. This funding shortfall compounds a two per cent cu...
Back to Newsroom